White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900
An Unlucky Voyage
An Unlucky Voyage.
Before the Rangitiki was purchased by the N.Z. Shipping Company in 1875 the ship, under her old name the Scimitar, made a sensational run to Port Chalmers. The ship left Plymouth on December 24, 1873, with 430 souls aboard. Four days after sailing scarlet fever broke out. Two days before starting two families from Jersey were removed from the ship as the children were suffering from this complaint. The fever was followed by other sickness, including bronchitis, measles, diarrhoea and variola, which were confined to the children under seven years, with one exception. One or other of the diseases attacked all the children on board. Altogether there were 26 deaths before Teaching Port Chalmers. Dr. Hoskings was in charge and upon arrival he eulogised Captain Fox, the ship's commander, and narrated how, in spite of death and suffering, the passage was not without its pleasant side. The said Captain Fox married one couple and performed the ceremony of baptism on four occasions. "What with reading divine service every Sunday, celebrating marriage, baptising the new babies, and burying so many, there had been enough work on the passage to keep a parson fully employed," said Dr. Hoskings.
page 255It used to be an open question whether the palm should be given to the Rangitiki (ex-Scimitar) or the Westland for having made the record run from England to Port Chalmers during the 40 years, from 1860 to 1900. While the Scimitar's time was 71 days from Plymouth to port, or 67 land to land, the Westland made the run in 72 days from London, or 66 land to land. Under the circumstances I am satisfied all nautical men will agree that the honours should undoubtedly be given to the Westland. It must be remembered that she had a two to three days' longer run down the English Channel than the Scimitar, and certainly beat her a day in the land to land run.